“While his school was closed due to an outbreak of plague in 1666–67, twenty-five-year-old Isaac Newton showed his professor, Isaac Barrow, what research he was conducting in his spare time. Barrow immediately gave up his job as a professor and became a student of Newton. What a noble gesture. What ethical behavior. When was the last time you heard of a professor vacating his post in favor of a better candidate? And when was the last time you read about a CEO clearing out his desk when he realized that one of his twenty thousand employees could do a better job?”
― Rolf Dobelli, The Art of Thinking Clearly
Last night, scrolling through my social media, I came across a post by Tennessee Lookout writer Nate Rau. Apparently, the Exit/In property was under contract to be sold to a hotel developer. Current owner Chris Cobb had been attempting to purchase the property that was home to the historic music venue, but it’s looking like his efforts will be for naught.
In case you are unfamiliar, the Exit/In is one of those historic small music clubs that once populated the country. Places like the Black Cat in DC, The Nick in Birmingham, Picassos in Bowling Green, the Stone Pony in New Jersey, or even CBGB’s in NYC. 500-1000 seat rooms that provided an intimate venue in which music lovers could enjoy their favorite bands and musicals artists.
The stage at the Exit-In, since its inception in the early ’70s, has been trodden by everybody from Vince Gill, to My Morning Jacket, to Steve Martin, and Kris Kristofferson. A young Jimmy Buffet cut his teeth on that stage. The back cover of a Police record shows Sting sporting the club’s T-shirt. It’s not hyperbolic to say that some shows have become the stuff of legend, and the club enjoys deep emotional bonds with the community.
Back when I wore a younger man’s clothes, I managed the club for around 5 years. Shows with Jack Ingrim, the Cult, Mavericks, Social Distortion, and Jeff Buckley, among others, will forever CONTINUE READING: YOU CAN’T PRACTICE MAGIC WITHOUT MAGICIANS – Dad Gone Wild